晴明の孫

magomagomago @ 2008-12-02T07:27:00

2008-12-02T13:30:25Z

Apped: May 19th, 2007

Dropped: September 20, 2008

Total Comments: 8,264

[OOC] Shikigami and Grandfather and Books, oh my!

2008-08-19T20:05:45Z

I'm actually taking notes on something mostly unrelated, but I stumbled across this in my research. This is all from Superstitions, Magic, and Mantic Practices in the Heian Period by Jolanta Tubielewicz.

Among the invisible demons a prominent group was formed by shikigami (shiki-no kami, shikijin) - demons in the service of onmyouji and other magicians. The shikigami could have been used by their masters for every kind of work - good or bad - from the commenest labors at home to putting a curse on or even killing somebody.

One of the most famous masters of Onmyoudou, Abe Seimei, called on his friend, monk Kanchou. They sat in the garden and talked bout the occult art when one boy listening to them asked Seimei, if it would be possible to kill a man by shikigami. Seimei explained that it was possible but not quite easy: "Killing insects and other small animals is much easier. Nevertheless, it is a sin." The boy insisted on demonstration of that power and at last Seimei consented to kill a frog. He took a blade of grass, murmured spells over it and then put it on the frog. The frog died instantly. It was killed by a shikigami summoned by Seimei. Seimei was in the habit of using shikigami as messengers and servants (Kon. XXIV, 16). In the Heike-monogatari and Gempei-seisui-ki it is written that Seimei had twelve demons at his disposal, but his wife was afraid of them and one day she put the demons into a sack and hid them under a bridge. Nevertheless, the shikigami were still in contact with their master and whenever Seimei needed one of them, it spoke through the mouth of anybody at hand.

The same Seimei is mentioned in the Okagami as well. When the Emperor Kanzen suddenly abdicated (in 986) and fled at night from the palace, he passed Seimei's house on the way and heard Seimei's voice ordering one of his shikigami to go to the palace. Then "soemthing invisible to the eye pushed the door open and probably saw the Emperor's back" ("me-ni-wa mienu mono-no to-wo oshiakete, miushiro-wo-ya mimairaseken...") (Ok. 52, 442). The voice of the shikigami was heard informing Seimei that the Emperor was just passing his house.

Here and in the Heike version shikigami are heard but not seen. In the first part of the "frog story" there is a tale showing that shikigami were able to assume a human shape if their master wished so. The tale is about a practitioner of magic who wanted to put Seimei to a test and came to him as a monk with two boys. Seimei guessed at once that the boys were shikigami. But it seems that the true figure of Shikigami* belongs to the category of invisible demons vaguely associated with a human form because the classifier used for counting them is the same as for people (hitori, futari...).

* Speaking about a figure of something invisible is not quite logical but demons as a whole are beyond logic, so we shall risk that phrase.

Though this obviously isn't all applicable to the Shounen Onmyouji universe, I found it interesting. And I hadn't heard the Emperor story before, nor the one about his wife (wtf, grandma).

Judging by his diary, Michinaga kept many masters of Onmyoujou busy during his active service at the palace. There are scores of entries concerning consultations with Kamo Koei, Abe Seimei, Abe Yoshihira, Abe Yoshimasa and others, on public as well as private matters. Other diaries (the Shoyuki, Kagero-nikki, etc) also show how important role onmyouji played in everyday life.

[OOC] ID Card

2008-01-26T03:57:47Z

[IC] Amatsuki/Shounen Onmyouji Playercest

2007-10-20T21:44:40Z

[IN A CERTAIN CABIN IN THE WOODS, ALL IS QUIET.]

[OOC] Schedule

2007-09-18T15:51:41Z

MONDAY
8:50 - 9:40: CLASS (Intro to British and American Lit pre-1914)
11:00 - 11:50: CLASS (General Anthropology)
1:20 - 2:10: CLASS (Anthropology Discussion Section)
2:25 - 3:15: CLASS (Intro to Judaism Discussion Section)

TUESDAY
1:00 - 2:15: CLASS (Introduction to Judaism)
2:30 - 3:45: CLASS (Religion in History and Culture: The East)

WEDNESDAY
8:50 - 9:40: CLASS (Intro to British and American Lit pre-1914)
11:00 - 11:50: CLASS (General Anthropology)
12:05 - 12:55: CLASS (Religion: East Discussion Section)
1:00 - 5:00: WORK

THURSDAY
1:00 - 2:15: CLASS (Introduction to Judaism)
2:30 - 3:45: CLASS (Religion in History and Culture: The East)

FRIDAY
9:00 - 1:00: WORK
1:20 - 2:10: CLASS (Intro to Lit Discussion Section)

SATURDAY
9:00 - 1:00: WORK

[OOC] Spell List

2007-08-21T19:52:53Z

For my own reference. :( All spells taken from the Shounen Onmyouji Animation Book. THIS IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS. Eventually all the spells in the book will be here, as well as explanations of what they do. When. You know. I'm not feeling lazy.

Standard Spells

•Nozomeru tsuwamono tatakaumono mina jin yaburete mae ni ari (The army that faces, the ones who battle, fall into position, appear and go forth!)
•Kourin shoshin shoshinjin baakukifukuja hakki shoujo kyuukyuu joritsuryou
•On abiraunkyan sharakutan
•On bandomadara abogyajayani soro soro sowaka

Buddhist Mantras

•Arabati kiritikiritahati
•On kirikiri basara un hatta
•On kirikiri basara bajiri horamanda manda un hatta
•On deiba yakisha banda banda kakaka sowaka
•On nau kishatarani shidaei idateita mokoteita
•On basara bajirihora mandamanda unhatta on sarasara bazaraharakyara unhatta on basara uginiya kyara shaya sowaka
•On bobiban badabari basharidara darahandoma banbachi bandari sanmara
•Tanitaya zarei makazarei uki moki arei arabati chiriti chiritahati chinii chinii shicchini nirichinii nirichihachi sowaka
•Naumaku sanmanda basara dan kan
•Naumaku sanmanda basaradan sendamakaroshada sohatayaun tarata kan man
•Naumaku sanmanda bodanan onsarasabazara harakya un batta
•Naumaku sanmanda bodanan kyarankeishin bariyaharahata juchimaraya sowaka
•Naumaku sanmanda bodanan naido hana undo sowaka
•Naumaku sanmanda sendamakaroshada taratakan
•Naumaku sorobayada taakyatayatanyata an biraji biraji makashakyara bajiri satasata sarati sarati tarai tarai bidamani sanbajani tarama
•Noubouaratannou tarayaayasarabaratasatanan

Yamatokotoba (ancient Japanese) Spells

•Amaneki shofutsu ni kieshi tatematsuru. Shosai no seishuku ni. Kifune no kami yo, ware ni kago wo ataetamae. Kono akuryou wo karametore. Karametorita mawarazuba, Fudoumyouou no gofukakukore ni sugizu. (Believe in the universal Buddhas and honer them. Divide the origins of the stars. God of Kifune, give me your divine protection. Bind this evil spirit. If he is bound, you will doubtlessly be rewarded by the Fudoumyou-ou.)

•Amaneki shofutsu ni kieshi tatematsuru. Shosai no seishuku ni. Touhou Kousanse Yashamyouou. Saihou Daiitoku Yashamyouou. Nanhou Kundari Yashamyouou. Hohhou Kongou Yashamyouou. Abbukuse yo. Kiyometa mae. Saihoshitamae. Jibaku no kusari wo uchikudaki. Ide yo, Takaokaminokami! (Believe in the universal Buddhas and honer them. Divide the origins of the stars. Eastern Kousanse Yashamyouou. Western Daiitoku Yashamyouou. Northern Kundari Yashamyouou. Southern Kongou Yashamyouou. Sumbit, purify and destory. Tear apart the binding spell and come before us, Takaokaminokami!)

•Ibukitononushinokami. Tsumi kegare wo tooku nenokuni sokonokuni ni shirizokeru. Ama no yaekumo wo fukihanatsu gotoku ni magatsu kaze wo fukiharau. Ibuki ibuki yo. Kono ibuki yo. Kami no ibuki tonare.

•Kinseishi tatematsuru ashiki yume. Ikutabi mitemo. Mi ni awaji.

Exorcism Spells

Amulet/Charm Spells
•Kourinshoshin shoushinjin sakkihansen kyakkienen kyuukyuu joritsuryou
•Kyokuteiyuuchoku jakidonshi jyofunsai kyuukyuusanki kunchokurei
•Bakubakubaku fudoukaihaku shinchokukourin

Miscellaneous Spells

[IC] thread continuation

2007-08-14T00:16:31Z

...you look like you're almost all healed already.

[OOC] MEME OF THINGS

2007-08-08T06:32:46Z

STOLEN FROM EVERYONE EVER.

Comment to me with your characters and I'll tell you what I assume our characters do offscreen together. Then you can tell me how wrong I am and I'll cry. I play... Larxene, Rinali, Hugo, Katou, Judas, Masahiro, and Cain.

[IC] thread continuation

2007-07-16T03:06:44Z

[continued from here]

I... this is really nice. Just being able to forget everything and have fun.

[CFUW 52] Locked to Mokkun

2007-07-02T22:13:59Z

I guess we should have one of these, huh?

[drama CD summary] Tenkohen 1 Track 1/3

2007-07-01T19:55:39Z

TODAY, FOR A CHANGE OF PACE, I'M TRANSLATING/SUMMARIZING DRAMA CDS INSTEAD.

Which is to say that, as you've probably noticed, we haven't taken Mokkun and Masahiro from the end of the anime. Shounen Onmyouji is an ongoing series of novels (it's up to 18 volumes at this point) and the end of the Kazane arc is only novel 7. Novel 8 is sidestories, and novel 9 continues the main plot with the beginning of the Tenko arc. Masahiro and Mokkun in camp are from the end of novel 9/the beginning of novel 10.

The events of novel 9 are contained within a drama CD as well. nekokoban was nice enough to upload it for me. I'm going to be summarizing the drama CD instead of the novel proper because, honestly, they're more or less the same thing and it's easier for me to understand spoken Japanese than written.

So, anyway! If you read this, you'll be fully caught up on where Masahiro and Mokkun are coming from and we won't be able to spoil you at all. \o/

The track begins with a little girl humming to herself as she plays. A man's voice cuts through her song. We're going to call him "Rapist Voice," because that's what he sounds like.

Rapist Voice: Little girl...
Girl: Huh? Who are you?
Rapist Voice: [chuckles] Hey, would you listen to a request?
Girl: I can't! I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.
Rapist Voice: I want you to listen.

A wind rushes through, and when the girl next speaks, it's in an oddly detached voice.

Girl: What kind... of... request?
Rapist Voice: Look, you can see that small shrine over there, right? Open that door.
Girl: My mom said... I'm not supposed to go there...
Rapist Voice: Open the door and break what's inside.
Girl: Break what's... inside...

We hear the girl slowly approach the shrine and open the door.

Rapist Voice: That's right... what a good girl.
Girl: Break what's inside...

There's a shattering noise, and a worried woman rushes in.

Woman: Kayo-chan?! What's wrong?! Snap out of it, Kayo-chan!

Just as the girl wakes up and recognizes her mother, who scolds her for entering the shrine, it all goes to hell.

???: It's open... it's open! With this, I'm free!

The shrine shakes with power, and the woman screams. The Rapist Voice sounds amused as he observes the scene. It looks like he released whatever was inside to draw someone else out to seal it... he laughs maniacally, cementing his role as a villain.

---

Seimei: Ohhh... what a clear dream. And this form is... The one who called me here is... it was you after all, Wakana.
Wakana: Dear... I'm sorry. My power wasn't enough.

Wakana, her voice shaking, apologizes for not being enough to send "that child" back properly. Seimei tells her not to worry. It turns out that she had to bargain with the management of Meifu for Masahiro's return to the world of the living--specifically with a "Takamura-dono." He was able to rig it so that Masahiro could come back to life, but not without a sacrifice. In return for his life, the thing closest to importance to his life had to be left in Meifu. If she tries to return it to him, both Wakana and Seimei will be sentenced to the Eighth Hell. Wakana begins to cry, upset that Masahiro had to sacrifice something so important.

Seimei, sounding pained, tries to comfort her by saying that Masahiro isn't so weak as to give up over something like that, so she shouldn't cry.

Wakana: Ne, dear... If I say this, you might get mad, but... To be able to meet the child I didn't think I'd be able to... to be able to embrace him... I was happy.
Seimei: Wakana...
Wakana: I'm sorry. But I was very happy.

A wind blows, and Wakana says that she has to return. Seimei asks if she'll be all right by herself on the banks of the river, with Meifu's oni around, and she says that she'll be fine. It's a dark and lonely place, but she'll wait for him.

Seimei wakes, and apologizes to Wakana for not being able to join her yet.

---

Late at night, in a place full of crickets, Genbu chases after Taiin. He says that Masahiro will worry if they're not back soon, but Taiin grumbles, wondering what the Shinshou are doing on such a peaceful mountain. She dumps on him the stuff they've bought, leaving him to stumble after him.

It turns out she's not happy about having to stay somewhere close to Touda.

Taiin: Hey, where is Fujiwara no Michinaga's manor? I heard it was in a mountain castle's village...
Genbu: Yeah. It's over that north mountain. Apparently by that gulf. It's a day's journey on foot, but... there's no way Masahiro can do that yet.

Taiin comments that until Narichika gets there, they'll just have to manage somehow.

---

Meanwhile, Masahiro stands outside and mutters about how time seems to be passing very slowly.

Genbu: MASAHIRO! If you stand out there, you'll get cold!
Masahiro: Genbu? Where are you?
Taiin: [gives a small blast of wind]
Masahiro: Ah, I saw that. Welcome back. You were a little late, so I was waiting.
Genbu: Sorry.

Masahiro waves the apology off, saying he couldn't sleep anyway, and turns his attention to what they brought back.

Genbu: Masahiro. Kouchin and the others are inside?
Masahiro: Ah, yeah. I think Rikugou left to keep watch, though. [small laugh] I guess it's a little inconvenient after all. I know that everyone is nearby and I can hear your voices, so I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but...
Taiin: Masahiro...
Masahiro: "Not being able to see"... is this, huh.
Genbu: Masahiro... I know about Kouchin and Rikugou, but... where is Touda?
Taiin: [gasp]
Masahiro: Saa... Now that you mention it, I haven't seen him for a while.
Genbu: Is that so.
Masahiro: But I think he's close. Since I saw a white tail this morning, and... [sigh] It's mysterious... I can't see Genbu and everyone or ayakashi, so why can I just see that white form...

---

Later, Masahiro sees a familiar shape walking down the hall.

Masahiro: ...Mokkun...
Touda: Did you want something?
Masahiro: Ah-- no-- that's--
Touda: Then don't look at me. It's disagreeable.
Masahiro: I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--

Touda leaves.

Masahiro: It's... natural. Because... I wished for it. "It's better if you forget it all. It's better if you don't remember the painful things."
Mokkun: [in Masahiro's memory] What's wrong, Masahiro?
Masahiro: Forget...
Mokkun: Are you worried about something? What is it, what is it? I'll listen.
Masahiro: Forget...
Mokkun: Masahiro! Masahiiiiro-kun!
Masahiro: The Guren that knew me is gone.

Masahiro says that that's his punishment for being so selfish. Not just losing his kenki ability... but not being with Guren, as well.

Masahiro: But... even with that... I...
Kouchin: Masahiro.
Masahiro: --Kouchin?
Kouchin: Can't you sleep?
Masahiro: ...no. Because I keep dreaming.

Masahiro comments that Taiin and Genbu don't seem to want to be around, but Kouchin and Rikugou are different. Kouchin says that it's because Rikugou isn't really able to be understood by anyone, and she's not afraid of Touda. She says that only Masahiro and Seimei aren't really afraid of Touda--he sends shivers down the spines of everyone else. The Touda now is like that, and it's boring. She doesn't like men without emotions.

Masahiro: I wonder if Gure-- ........ Touda wants to go back to Grandfather.
Kouchin: ...probably.

Masahiro sounds like he's holding back tears.

---

The next morning.

Masahiro: The one over there is... Rikugou?
Rikugou: Yeah.
Masahiro: Taiin and the others are...?
Rikugou: They're preparing breakfast. It looks like today they're aiming at fish. Are you okay now that you're awake?
Masahiro: ...ah... yeah.

He stops suddenly as Touda walks by with a derisive snort.

Rikugou: Touda.

Touda keeps walking, and Masahiro makes a sobbing noise. Kouchin is Not Amused by this, and says that seeing something like that really pisses her off.

Kouchin: Masahiro? You look pale. Are you going to be okay?
Masahiro: [quietly] No... I'm fine. Ah-- besides that, Rikugou, you've been wearing that for a while, that red thing. A magatama?
Rikugou: It's something left in my charge.
Masahiro: Hmmmm... now that I think about it, I never asked. About the seal at Chigaeshi--

He's cut off by a truly unearthly howl. Kouchin comments that it's coming from the north. Masahiro senses a strong youki, and an aura of water.

Kouchin: Yeah. It's fast.
Rikugou: It's here.

With a roar, a the ayakashi smashes through the wall. Rikugou goes after it, and Kouchin checks on Masahiro. She says it's an ayakashi she's never seen before. Masahiro, of course, can't see it at all, but says that it seems like there are a lot. Rikugou tells him otherwise. There's only one, but it's so fast that there seems to be many. Kouchin leaves Masahiro to Rikugou and attacks. Masahiro angsts about not being able to do anything, since he can't even see the ayakashi.

Touda: What kind of a situation is this? [transforms into his true form] And that's Seimei's grandson? Kou. You're in my way.
Kouchin: Touda...
Touda: Disappear. You're an eyesore!

The ayakashi burns up in Touda's hellfire.

Masahiro: [quietly] Guren...
Touda: --why do you know that name?! Someone like you... can't call that name!

Masahiro sounds like he's been physically struck. The novel describes this scene as his heart shattering. At that moment, Taiin and Genbu return.

Taiin: Is everyone okay?!
Genbu: What was that youki? --Masahiro? What's wrong?! You're pale!

Masahiro makes a choking noise, and collapses. Taiin screams and Kouchin runs to his side. In his mind, Masahiro hears Mokkun's voice.

Mokkun: Names are things that have meaning.
Masahiro: Mokkun...!
Mokkun: I give you permission to call my name.
Masahiro: Guren...!

---

Touda: Is there something wrong?
Kouchin: Touda. That's Seimei's grandson.
Touda: So it seems.
Kouchin: Don't say that kind of thing!
Touda: ...Kou. I'm here because you said it's Seimei's orders. Because you said that kid is Seimei's grandson. There's no reason I have to be careful.
Kouchin: He's just a child. I know that you hate children, but there's no reason for you to use such sharp-edged words.

Touda comments that it's strange to see Kouchin so attached to a child, and she mutters that for him to say that...

---

Taiin: Masahiro, are you really okay?
Masahiro: Yeah. I was just a little tired.

She tells him not to worry them like that again, and to say something if he's not feeling well.

Masahiro: [to himself] What am I doing? Even though I understand I can't call him that... That name... is an important treasure he received from Grandfather... I... to say I can't call it... I understand in my head, but... when I see that form, it just slips from my lips. [sounds as though he could cry] I... I want to see Akiko...

---

Meanwhile, Akiko is worried about Masahiro. Seimei, seeing this, says that he'll give her a spell to clear up her worry. In a dream, she sees Masahiro.

Akiko: Are you all right?
Masahiro: ...Akiko...!
Akiko: I learned a spell.
Masahiro: A spell?
Akiko: Seimei-sama gave it to me. A spell to meet someone you want to meet inside a dream. Ne, what's wrong? Is it something that you can't tell me?
Masahiro: ...sorry.
Akiko: It's okay. I thought it'd be good if I could do something, but...
Masahiro: I'm sorry. It's... I'm sorry.
Akiko: Um, I'll wait for you, so. If you're fine, then it's okay.
Masahiro: Mm.
Akiko: If you're not pained, and you're not injured... and you don't forget me, then I'm happy.
Masahiro: ...yeah. I'll come home.
Akiko: I'll be waiting.
Masahiro: I'll absolutely come home, so...

Masahiro wakes up.

Masahiro: The scent of... Japanese yew...?

Kouchin comes in to check on him. He says he's okay, but seeing him, she asks what's wrong.

Masahiro: There's... something I've always wanted to ask. The Touda I don't know and everyone hates... why is he so different?
Kouchin: I think... he met someone who trusted him. Before then, he was just strong, and more stubborn than Seiryuu, and more standoffish than Rikugou.
Masahiro: That's... the Touda everyone knows...
Kouchin: Yeah. Even when he became Seimei's shikigami it was the same.

She says that Touda changed, though. But it wasn't when he received his name from Seimei.

Kouchin: Thirteen years ago... a baby was born. That's why Touda changed.
Masahiro: Thirteen years ago?
Kouchin: That's right. The one who changed him was you, Masahiro. Through thirteen years passing.
Masahiro: Thirteen years...
Mokkun: [in Masahiro's memory] Don't give up~ don't lose~ Seimei's grandson~!
Masahiro: Then... if thirteen years pass... if the same number of years pass... will Touda look at me again? Look straight at me, and call my name... like before... together...
Kouchin: ...that's right.
Masahiro: If I wish for that... I wonder if it's okay. I... I...
Kouchin: Masahiro...

Masahiro begins to cry.

[AU]

2007-06-30T02:43:03Z

...I hate this.

[CFUW 51] Locked to Mokkun

2007-06-29T00:43:59Z

So here's your post.

[OOC] Shoop the WHAT?

2007-06-26T01:25:09Z

I have this thing where I enjoy photoshopping icons in horrible ways.

If you give me a picture of a character--it could be 100x100, but I prefer them to be larger--I will, perhaps, make you one. 8D

[OOC] Magoraji: Heian Era vs Modern Technology, Go!

2007-06-23T03:41:12Z

THINGS MAGORAJI HAS TAUGHT ME ABOUT MASAHIRO AND TECHNOLOGY:

1) If given a cellphone, he will quickly learn not only how to call people, but also how to text message and email through it. (Any cellphone of his probably has cutesy decorations on it, though this has not yet been confirmed.)
2) If given a computer (in Magoraji canon, one of his brothers--probably Narichika since he's the COOL one--bought him one), he will eventually learn how to blog. He will then proceed to blog incessantly about Akiko and not at all about Guren, causing Guren to become very annoyed. Seimei will complain about Masahiro and his lack of priorities in his blog.

I love my pseudo-canon.

[AU]

2007-06-22T02:55:52Z

Mokkun, I don't care how bright this one is! I'm trying to write a letter.

[episode summary] 26: Sharpen the Blade of Flame

2007-06-18T21:02:11Z

Last episode! Get out your tissues. After this, I might do, like, a three paragraph long summary of the next novel, since we take Guren and Masahiro from the end of that rather than the end of the anime.

King of all rapistfaces.

We're having roast lizard for dinner tonight, kids. Touda tells it to just roast in hellfire. At the last minute, though, it finds itself an unexpected savior in the form of Seiryuu, who is GOING TO KILL TOUDA WITH HIS OWN TWO HANDS!!1! >(

Kouchin quickly arrives to join the fight as well, deflecting Touda's flames.

Seiryuu: Kouchin! Are you planning to get in my way?
Kouchin: Stay back, Seiryuu!
Seiryuu: I'm going to be the one to kill Touda!

He won't let anyone tell him differently. But another voice pierces the mist, telling him to step down. Masahiro slowly steps forward, dragging the heavy sword behind him.

Masahiro: I'll defeat him!
Touda: The brat from that time?

With a yell, Masahiro begins to glow with the blue flame of Kagatsuchi. He raises the sword over his head, and in a whirlwind of fire, it reforms into a smaller, thin blade that better fits his size.

Thundercats, hooooo!

Touda: This time I'll send you to Yomi!

He launches the flaming serpents at Masahiro, who easily cuts through them with the sword. Seiryuu is stunned, and Kouchin explains that with that sword, Masahiro will be able to kill a Shinshou, and that the power of a person's resolute will is stronger than they are able to comprehend.

Masahiro sends a spell at Touda, with no effect. Touda's retaliatory blast of fire is likewise repelled by Masahiro, but not before cutting his cheek. Masahiro grabs Seimei's prayer beads and throws them up into the air. They glow and split, each bead forming a magical bond that pins Touda to the rocky wall.

No commento.

Seiryuu: He captured Touda?!
Kouchin: See it with your own eyes-- Masahiro's resoluteness. That was the orders given to us by Seimei.

Another spell, and Touda falls to his knees with a scream. His flames don't even reach Masahiro, who strengthens the bonds. The sword glints with light as Masahiro begins to approach him.

Touda: D-don't! Don't come any closer!

With every step, Masahiro remembers Mokkun. He finally rushes forward with a cry and impales Touda through the chest with the sword. The bonds shatter. Touda chokes on blood and grabs Masahiro by the shoulders.

Touda: You... brat...

Masahiro begins the final chant, even with Touda's hand around his neck. Both Touda and Masahiro glow with the light of the flame of Kagatsuchi, and the power limiter reforms around Touda's forehead. As Touda falls, Masahiro closes his eyes and remembers.

Guren: You will become an onmyouji. The best... surpassing Seimei.

At home, Yoshimasa watches the sunset worriedly.

Tsuyuki: It's okay.
Yoshimasa: Tsuyuki...
Tsuyuki: That child will come home.
Yoshimasa: Huh?
Tsuyuki: We're his parents. Even if you don't say anything, I can tell.
Yoshimasa: I shouldn't worry.

Tsuyuki smiles and shakes her head.

Masahiro lies unconscious on the ground. The sword falls, and burns with the flame of Kagatsuchi. Slowly, he opens his eyes. In front of him lies the battered body of Mokkun. Trembling, Masahiro reaches out to gently run his hands over his fur, memories of Mokkun running through his mind.

He picks Mokkun's body up and cradles it close to his chest and begins to cry.

Masahiro: Mokkun... Mokkun...! Mokkun!

Knowing that the seal has been protected, the lizard once more is absorbed into the wall. Seiryuu watches Masahiro, grudgingly impressed, and Kouchin reminds him that he's Seimei's successor, after all.

Masahiro: Ne, Mokkun... It's okay if you don't remember the painful things... [his tears fall on Mokkun's face, and he covers it with one hand] Sleep, fragments of hurtful memories.

He raises Mokkun's body over his head, and they both begin to glow with a golden light as Mokkun floats above his head, Masahiro's arms outstretched towards him.

Masahiro: Come home, Mokkun. Because I'll give you my life.

Akiko drops the perfume bag, looking stunned and worried, and whispers Masahiro's name.

Masahiro drops to the ground, Mokkun slowly descending next to him. Kouchin and Seiryuu run over to them.

COMMERCIAL BREAK.

Byakko, Taiin, Genbu and Seimei all arrive at that moment.

Byakko: What the--?
Genbu: What happened?
Kouchin: Masahiro killed Touda.
Byakko: Then why is Masahiro...?
Taiin: What is this, Kouchin?
Kouchin: Seimei...

Seimei holds Masahiro in his arms. He's not breathing.

Seimei: Masahiro...

Takaonokami watches the sunset. She's joined by what appears to be an elderly man, who asks about the wind from the west.

Takaonokami: Tenkuu of the Twelve Shinshou, is it. It seems that Yomi's seal has been protected. For you to reveal yourself...

He says that it's in preparation for what Seimei's successor has decided. BASICALLY THEY TALK ABOUT MASAHIRO AND TOUDA AND MASAHIRO'S CHOICE and what price it comes at and yeah I'm going to skip this scene because Tenkuu's voice makes me zone out. I assure you, it's nothing important ~~until they make a second season~~.

The other two usually unseen Shinshou, Tenkou and Taijou stand watch over Seimei's body while his spirit is elsewhere.

Tenkuu: It's difficult for Seimei-sama as well, isn't it...
Taijou: Yes. It's not just being separated from Masahiro-sama.
Tenkuu: To have to make everything as though Masahiro never existed...
Taijou: It seems like it's because Masahiro-sama does not want anyone to be sad when he dies...
Tenkuu: It's too sad... Masahiro... and Seimei-sama...
Taijou: Seimei has lost too many precious things. Masahiro-sama, and Wakana-sama as well... they went too quickly.

Back in Izumo, Seimei holds Masahiro's body.

Seimei: I'll keep my promise. But, you know, Masahiro... but to ask something like that of Grandfather was really... horrible.

At the Onmyou Dorms, Toshitsugu is the only one working.

Yukinari: It's difficult to work to late.
Toshitsugu: Yukinari-sama!
Yukinari: Are you doing Masahiro-dono's work as well?
Toshitsugu: I'm just doing what I should be.
Yukinari: I wonder what Masahiro-dono is doing right now.

Toshitsugu thinks that Masahiro is also doing the best he can, and Yukinari agrees.

Akiko makes a perfume bag as Tsuyuki watches. Tsuyuki comments that if Masahiro were home, he'd probably be out by now-- she doesn't like how he always goes out and does things every night, and thanks Akiko for her help. Akiko stares down at the perfume bag and clasps it between her hands.

Akiko: Masahiro... it would be good if you were unharmed...

Masahiro finds himself in an empty plain with the setting sun behind him. There's a river ahead of him.

Masahiro: Where is this... This... is a riverbank? Is that it. This is... I should cross the river, huh.

As he steps forward, a woman's voice calls to him.

Woman: What's wrong?

A young woman in court dress sits on an outcropping next to him.

Woman: If it's okay, why don't you sit here?
Masahiro: Then...

He sits next to her, looking depressed.

Woman: Why did you come here? It's still to early for you to cross the river, isn't it?
Masahiro: There was a wish I had to make come true... in order to do that, I have to cross the river.
Woman: But it looks like you have regrets...?
Masahiro: I didn't want to give everyone sad memories. I thought "Maybe they could have never met me in the first place." My grandfather is a really amazing person, so I asked him that. "Please erase me from everyone's hearts."
Woman: I see... you came here before your grandfather... I also came here ahead of a beloved person, so I thought I wouldn't cross the river. Since that person will definitely come here and find me that way. Why did you come here first?

Masahiro chokes down tears. The woman gently pats his shoulder.

Woman: You did come here too soon after all. [places a hand over his heart] See.

She says he has something important in there. Masahiro sits up, startled, and pulls Akiko's perfume bag out.

Masahiro: Even though I left it behind...
Woman: You'll always have that heart with you.

She asks him if that's disagreeable, and Masahiro closes his fist around the perfume bag and starts to sob. The woman gently pulls him into her arms.

Woman: Idiot. Children shouldn't cry as though their hearts have been broken... Honestly... for painful things to happen to such a child... [she lets go of him and points towards the sunset] Now, please return. [she brings him to his feet] I'll watch your back. Now... please go home. Masahiro.

Masahiro, who had begun to stumble towards the sunset, turns his head, surprised.

Masahiro: Why do you know...

The woman begins to fade.

Masahiro: Who... are...
Woman: Me? I'm called Wakana.

Seimei looks up from Masahiro, his eyes wide.

Seimei: Wakana...

Masahiro makes a soft noise and begins to breathe again.

Rikugou: Seimei. Masahiro is...
Seimei: Masahiro!

Everyone is greatly relieved, except for possibly Seiryuu, who disappears. Kouchin finds the still-unconscious Mokkun at her feet and gently picks him up. He opens his eyes.

Mokkun: Kou...
Kouchin: You fool. Don't make me worry so much.

What was once a desolate plain begins to fill with cherry trees and greenery. With one last glance at the gate, Seimei turns and carries Masahiro out.

In the other realm, Taiin and Genbu return Suzaku's sword to him (he and Tenitsu are where we last left them) and thank him for letting Masahiro use it. He takes it an it disappears.

Suzaku: Is that so... and both Masahiro and Touda are okay?
Genbu: Yeah. What about Tenitsu?

He takes her hand, calling her "Tenki," and says not to worry-- she'll definitely wake up. Sure enough, her eyes slowly open.

Tenitsu: Suzaku... I could hear your voice calling me...
Suzaku: Tenki...
Tenitsu: Because you're the only one who uses that name...

At Izumo, the centipede says that they will take care of Kazane's body.

Rikugou: Is that so...
Centipede: From Chigaeshi no Miko, to Rikugou of the Twelve Shinshou.

Kazane's magatama falls into Rikugou's outstretched hand.

Byakko: That's Kazane's...
Centipede: She wanted you to have it.

Rikugou closes his eyes and holds it.

Seimei sits outside at night at on the porch. Akiko hesitantly looks outside.

Seimei: Akiko-sama. What is it?
Akiko: Um, no, I... I was just wondering about Masahiro...
Seimei: It's okay. He's fine.

Akiko, relieved, says that she's sorry for bothering him, and wishes him goodnight. As she leaves, Seimei claps his hands, and all the shikigami he'd prepared for erasing people's memories of Masahiro return to him, their paper disintegrating in the pond. He mysteriously comments that what Masahiro lost in return for coming back is large.

In a cabin in the woods, Kouchin sits next to Mokkun and watches Masahiro sleep.

Mokkun: Kou. Why am I in this form?
Kouchin: Seimei's orders.
Mokkun: Why are we here?
Kouchin: That's also Seimei's orders.
Mokkun: Then, who is that?
Kouchin: That's... Seimei's grandson.
Mokkun: Seimei's... grandson...

Seimei sits back down on the porch with a sigh. He says that, after all, it was good that Wakana had a pained heart. (Otherwise she couldn't remain.) Her ghostly figure laughs at him, chastising him for speaking in such a spoiled way.

Masahiro opens his eyes and sits up, seeing Mokkun sleeping in the corner.

Masahiro: No matter what was taken in return for this, no matter what is waiting ahead... even so... no matter what... only losing you was what I didn't want.

As he watches Mokkun sleep, tears begin to fall.

Masahiro: Mokkun...

"Kyuuki chapter/Kazane chapter: END"

Masahiro's image song "Roku Tousei" plays as the ending theme, as images from the beginning to the end of the show play, mostly of Masahiro and Mokkun.

It ends with Kurumanosuke speeding away. It's firefly season at Kifune, and Akiko, Masahiro, and Mokkun watch in awe.

[episode summary] 25: The Swirl of Catastrophe Revolves Around Ibuki

2007-06-17T19:14:07Z

Second to last episode, hoooooo!

Seimei: Ryuusai... no, you're not Ryuusai any longer. The High Priest of Chishiki.
Masahiro: He's the High Priest of Chishiki?

The animation is really good this episode. AS I'M SURE YOU CAN SEE y halo thar Seimei.

Taiin: That's right! Inside of Ryuusai's body is the High Priest of Chishiki!
Soushi: You appeared after all, Abe no Seimei. And your shikigami. But you're just a little too late. As you can see, the first seal has been broken. After that, all that's left is the second seal inside Yomi. Touda will be there soon. It's too bad, but I can't let you pass.

At Soushi's command, the oni attack, and the the Shinshou go after them. Masahiro is about to join the fight, but Seimei stops him.

Seimei: Wait. Masahiro, it's fine. Leave this to us. The thicker the shouki becomes, the stronger his power becomes. Go on ahead and protect the seal. Seiryuu! Kouchin! Go with Masahiro. Clear the path and guide him to the last seal!
Kouchin: I'll do it.

Masahiro grabs Seimei's sleeve, looking worried.

Seimei: Masahiro...

He flicks Masahiro's forehead and smiles.

That's abuse.

Seimei: Go quickly.

Masahiro nods, and follows Kouchin and Seiryuu. Soushi begins to cast a spell to stop them, but Seimei deflects it.

Soushi: You...!
Seimei: High Priest of Chishiki, your opponent is me!
Soushi: Heh. Even if that child somehow makes it there, he won't be able to do anything. That's fine. Abe no Seimei, I'll get rid of your troubling self right now.

Unfortunately, Soushi isn't kidding about them quite possibly being late. Touda has arrived at the second seal.

Rapist faaaaace.

Just as he launches one of his flaming serpents at the seal, it turns to ice and shatters. A voice issues from around the seal, saying that it will not allow Touda to enter. A section of the rocks around the seal move, revealing themselves not to be rocks at all, but rather a giant lizard. Touda's not going to let something like that stop him.

That's sexy.

Seimei, Byakko, Taiin, and Genbu are doing a good job of holding the oni off.

Soushi: Well, if it wasn't like that, it wouldn't be interesting. But those shikigami are a bit troublesome. In that case...

He begins to chant, and a portal opens in front of him. A number of the oni leap into it.

Seimei: ...Taiin! Go with Byakko and Genbu and hurry back to the entrance!
Taiin: What do you mean?

Seimei explains that Soushi is sending the oni outside. He instructs them to destroy the oni before they can escape and kill anyone. Taiin and Byakko say they understand, but...

Genbu: I'm staying here.
Byakko: Genbu!
Taiin: What are you saying?!
Genbu: What I'm supposed to be doing is protecting Seimei!
Seimei: Right now it's more important to protect everyone else.

With Genbu's power, they can contain the shouki, Seimei says, smiling. He tells Genbu not to worry--he's not going to up and die yet.

Seimei: There's no time.

Genbu finally nods, and Taiin transports the Shinshou to the entrance, leaving Seimei alone with Soushi and the oni.

Soushi: To face me all alone... how foolish.
Seimei: Hm, I wonder about that.

With a single spell, Seimei clears the oni from the area. He says he'll destroy Soushi with his power, since letting him continue on like this is troublesome.

Taiin, Genbu, and Byakko make it to the entrance just in time to stop the first wave of transported oni. But as the dust clears, Taiin spots a side passage.

Taiin: What's this...? A path?

She calls to the others that she's going to check it out. She emerges into the ice cavern where the Miko sleeps. The centipede is there, undulating in front of the Miko's icy bed.

COMMERCIAL BREAK.

Seimei says that he'll end what started over fifty years ago, and deflects Soushi's spell. Wherever the scraps of the spell fall, oni appear. Seimei destroys them, and also sends the attacking Soushi flying back onto the ground.

Soushi: You...!
Seimei: This is it! High Priest of Chishiki!

He begins a spell, but...

Ryuusai: Seimei... would you kill me?
Seimei: Ryuusai...?
Ryuusai: Are you saying... you'd kill me, your friend...? You have a spell for that purpose?
Seimei: You bastard... you're not Ryuusai.
Ryuusai: Seimei... help me...
Seimei: High Priest of Chishiki... you bastard...
Ryuusai: I'm just being controlled by the High Priest of Chishiki! Seimei... please help me!
Seimei: Ryuusai...

He lowers his hand and flashes back to himself when he was younger sitting on the porch with an empty container of sake and looking depressed. Ryuusai sits down next to him.

Seimei: Ryuusai?
Ryuusai: Brought something. [holds up a new bottle of sake] Drinking alone is wearisome, right?
Seimei: Let's try. [takes it] You've got some favor to ask of me, right?
Ryuusai: What, is that the only reason I'd come see you?
Seimei: The reason everyone comes to see me is the same. [takes a sip] ...water?
Ryuusai: [cracks up]
Seimei: Oi, you... this is...
Ryuusai: Sei~mei. [flicks Seimei's forehead] Why don't you turn it into sake with a spell? [starts laughing again]

Gay boyfriends!

Seimei: You're a strange person.
Ryuusai: You too.

Back in the present, Seimei stares at Ryuusai, and lets the spell fade.

Seimei: Ryuusai...

He thinks back to Ryuusai gone mad and trying to kill him on the mountain.

Seimei: My friend Enoki Ryuusai... that Ryuusai... no longer exists!
"Ryuusai": Seimei...
Seimei: Playing with Ryuusai's corpse... I won't forgive you!
"Ryuusai": Stop, Seimei...

Seimei begins to chant.

Soushi: In that case...

He launches himself at Seimei and the battle begins anew. He sends Seimei flying, saying that his spells are useless, since Seimei is using some of his power just to send his spirit here in the first place.

Seimei: I'm not done yet...
Soushi: If you overdo it, you'll lose your life, Seimei. [he raises more oni from the ground] It's your loss. Prepare yourself!

Seimei begins a spell, but stops, pained. Just as the oni are about to reach him, they're sliced down. Rikugou appears in front of Seimei.

Rikugou: Are you all right, Seimei?
Seimei: Rikugou... Rikugou, what happened to Kazane...

He trails off when he notices Kazane's magatama hanging from Rikugou's neck.

Seimei: I see...
Rikugou: Seimei. Leave this bastard to me.

Soushi scoffs at the idea of a Shinshou killing him--he's human, after all. Rikugou is beyond caring. Seimei takes advantage of the distraction to begin a spell, pressing his palm flat against the ground. This time when Soushi tries to stop him, Rikugou interferes, going after him and cutting off one of his arms. Shouki bleeds out from the wound. As Soushi stumbles back, Rikugou pins him to the wall through the chest with his spear.

Seimei finishes the spell, sending whorls of white light throughout the cavern, just as Rikugou chops Soushi in half. The light destroys the remaining oni.

Byakko: Did he do it? Seimei...
Genbu: It looks like it.
Taiin: [flies up behind them] We've got to hurry and tell Seimei!
Byakko: What is it, Taiin?

Seimei approaches Soushi and Rikugou as Soushi tells them that Touda is still there, so. :/

Rikugou: Shut up! I won't forgive you! I'll make you disappear!

As Rikugou slashes him once more, Kazane's magatama glows with a red light. In the light, Soushi disintegrates. And, the real Ryuusai's spirit appears.

Ryuusai: Thank you... Seimei...
Seimei: Ryuusai... [he bows his head] Sleep soundly, my friend.

The red light fades, and Ryuusai with it. Rikugou silently holds the magatama.

There's no time to relax, though. A familiar whirlwind speeds down the passage.

Taiin: Seimei--! You have to come! Chigaeshi no Miko is...!

In the ice cavern, Seimei muses on how the Miko has been asleep all these long years, and easily melts the ice. The centipede is overjoyed, and lovingly picks her up, setting her down into a sitting position. Seimei kneels next to her.

Seimei: Chigaeshi no Miko... you're all right...
Miko: ...Semei-dono...? Where...?

Seimei explains that Soushi imprisoned her inside this cavern with a spell.

Miko: The High Priest of Chishiki...? ...Kazane! That child... where is Kazane? Seimei-dono, my child...!
Rikugou: [holds out the magatama] ...here.
Miko: This is... Kazane's... Why do you...?
Rikugou: Kazane is...
Miko: No...! [begins to cry] Kazane... why is that child...

Bowing his head, Seimei says that he will leave things here to Rikugou, while the rest of them go to join Masahiro--who meanwhile, sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

Masahiro: Ahead... is Guren...

At home, Akiko sits with the perfume bag clutched to her chest.

Akiko: Masahiro... somehow, come home safely...

Masahiro, Kouchin, and Seiryuu arrive at the plain where the final seal is located. It's covered in mist. Ahead, they see a burst of fire.

Masahiro: Guren...!

The lizard is still managing to freeze all of Touda's flames, which probably explains the sudden mist, since fire and water tends to do that.

Touda: Just as I'd expect from the guardian of the final seal. But this is the end.

Masahiro suddenly stops running.

Masahiro: Kouchin! Please.
Kouchin: You're prepared?
Masahiro: [nods]

Kouchin holds out her hand, and a flame materializes into Suzaku's sword. She thrusts it into the ground, and says that he'll need this to channel the Kagutsuchi's Flame into. With it, he'll be able to kill a god.

Masahiro: The power to kill a god... [presses his hand flat against the sword]
Kouchin: I'm going on ahead.

Masahiro reaches up--waaaaay up, since the sword is taller than him--and grasps it by the hilt.

[OOC] Public Service Announcement

2007-06-15T04:56:39Z

俺のじい様は口でするのが上手です。

Random Facts Meme

2007-06-15T04:04:51Z

Facts involving anything from episodes 21-26 and the novels past that point are whited out!

• For all he yells and screams about his grandfather and how horrible he is, Seimei is probably the family member Masahiro feels the closest to. He loves his brothers, but they have their own families, and there are some things that his mother and father just don't understand. When he was little and would have nightmares, it was Seimei he went to.

• When he looks back at most of his life, it seems to obvious now that Guren was always there. He feels a little guilty that he didn't remember him and didn't notice, though.

• He's actually moderately skilled at the flute. Not nearly good enough to play it professionally (though maybe if he'd spent more of his childhood practicing it instead of spells, he could have been), but not half bad, either.

• His plans for the future are pretty vague aside from surpassing his grandfather. He just sort of figures things will always continue the way they are now. In the back of his head, he realizes that in a few years he'll be at the age his brothers were when they married, but that thought always brings up images of Akiko, at which point he gets too embarrassed to continue thinking about the topic at all.

• There's a faint scar on his chest, front and back, from where Touda stabbed him. It's hardly visible, thanks to Tenitsu's healing, but it's there. He thinks it's already lightening a bit, so one day it might vanish altogether.

• He's absolutely horrible at taking care of himself. Often he won't sleep until he practically passes out, and hardly ever remembers to eat unless someone puts food in front of him.

• Despite being a member of the Heian court, he's absolutely terrible at poetry. It's pretty lucky that he's never going to have any interest in traditional methods of courtship.

• Nothing has ever hurt him as much as when amnesiac!Guren revoked his right to call him "Guren." He honestly thought he might die on the spot.

• If Mokkun doesn't sleep with him, he usually ends up having nightmares. This is a fairly recent development, and he hasn't told Mokkun about it yet because he finds it embarrassing. He also has the tendency to bully Mokkun into transforming into Guren if it gets to cold out and use him as a bedwarmer. Fire Shinshou = personal heater and pillow all in one.

• Even though he's always gotten along relatively well with his brothers, they've had some spectacular fights in the past. Like when Masahiro drew all over one of Masachika's love poems. Or when Narichika, in a bad mood, kicked one of Masahiro's favorite toys and broke it. Fights in the Abe household hardly ever involve spells, but really, who needs them?

• The "DON'T CALL ME GRANDSON" thing isn't even a conscious response at this point. It's just that ingrained in him.

[IC] Care Package

2007-06-14T21:28:18Z

[one afternoon in a certain cabin...]

...Mokkun? Did you hear that?

[episode summary] 24: The Wind of Twilight, The Eye of Dawn

2007-06-12T19:52:24Z

I cried the first time I watched this one. FAIR WARNING, KIDS.

The episode starts out with a flashback of tiny Kazane, wondering what happened to her parents. Soushi, sitting in front of her, says that he'll tell her. Thanks to Abe no Seimei, he says, her mother was cast still-living into Yomi. And Seimei's shikigami, Touda, killed her father. He tells her to become strong, in order to give her life meaning.

Sad loli in cave.

Kazane: I'm... not afraid. I'm not lonely. I have to become strong. To protect mother...!

Back in the present, Kazane sleeps, and Kai watches over her. Masahiro and the others are nearly at Izumo.

At home, Seimei is drawing Sanskrit characters on many, many pieces of paper. Seiryuu asks what in the world he's doing, but Seimei is evasive. He asks Seiryuu if he really intends to kill Guren. No prizes for guessing Seiryuu's answer. Seimei walks outside and scatters the scraps of paper with a spell. They fly off in the form of dog-like creatures throughout the city.

Seiryuu: Those were shikigami. What are you planning on doing with that many?
Seimei: With this, I'll fulfilled my promise. Now, shall we be going as well?

Taiin's whirlwind lands in Izumo none too gently, causing Genbu to fall down and Masahiro stumble. They're in Izumo, all right, but the problem is, they're not at Chigaeshi. Neither Taiin nor Rikugou can feel its aura, since someone's using a spell to conceal it. Genbu says that it must be Soushi, since he did this before.

Kouchin tells Taiin to read the winds, since they should know Kazane's location. Taiin nervously agrees to try.

Meanwhile, Kazane wakes up.

Kazane: Kai... you're alive, too...?
Kai: Princess... you're awake!
Kazane: Kai, you... spoke...?
Kai: I can talk. Until now, the ability has just been sealed. That other head is gone, so now...
Kazane: I'm so glad you're okay, Kai... if you'd died, I... really...

Kai nuzzles her affectionately, then flies up to the passage of the cave blocked by screens.

Kai: The clock is ticking! Princess, hurry! It's time for you to know the truth!
Kazane: Huh?
Kai: I'll show you the truth. Hurry, Princess!

Kazane gets up, and, stumbling, begins to follow the crow.

Kazane: Wait, Kai! Over there... Soushi-sama said... not to enter...!

The end up in the icy room that contains the sleeping form of Chigaeshi no Miko. Kazane runs over, disbelieving.

Kazane: Mo...ther...? Mother! Why... you didn't fall into Yomi...!
Kai: The High Priest of Chishiki sealed the Miko away. It can only be broken by him.

Kazane remembers back to Soushi telling her what Seimei supposedly did to her mother.

Kazane: Which... is true... Mother... what should I believe...?!
Soushi: You're a naughty child, Kazane. Didn't I tell you not to come in here?
Kazane: Soushi-sama...
Kai: [hovering between Kazane and Soushi] High Priest of Chishiki!

Soushi raises a hand and smacks Kai away with a spell. He then advances on Kazane, who backs away. Then something strange happens to his face. The wrinkles fall away and the shape of his face changes, leaving someone strangely familiar.

Ryuusai: Miko... Chigaeshi no Miko... in my hands...

He turns to face the sleeping Miko, and begins rambling about possessing her. As he yells, Soushi reemerges, telling Ryuusai that he'll give him the Miko if he keeps letting him use his body. Kazane is horrified.

Taiin: Kazane...

Taiin floats above the party, reading the wind as they follow her.

Masahiro: What's wrong, Taiin?
Taiin: Kazane has fallen into the hands of the High Priest of Chishiki! At this rate, she'll be killed!

Unfortunately, she's only partially sure they're going the wrong way, since the wind is very weak thanks to Soshi's interference. Rikugou's not having any of it, and runs on ahead.

Kazane picks herself up off the floor in front of the first seal. Soushi tells her to lend him her power. She's not exactly as willing to do that as she once was, and demands to know what the hell he is. He tells her that he's the High Priest of Chishiki, someone who wants destruction via Yomi. He shrugs off his outer robe, revealing the gaping hole through his chest--Ryuusai's chest--caused when Guren killed him.

Soushi: My body was destroyed by Abe no Seimei. But I was able to send my spirit out. Into the newly-dead Enoki Ryuusai's body.
Kazane: Then my father... my mother...!
Soushi: That's right. You're the daugher of the God of Chigaeshi and his Miko. The successor to the power of the Miko. This body--Enoki Ryuusai--is not your father. He's just a fool who stole your mother, turned against Abe no Seimei, and was killed by Touda.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.

Commercial break. UM OH MAN I TOTALLY MISSED THE BIT OF EXPOSITION LAST TIME I THINK THAT MAKES ME A FAILURE.

Soushi: The one who killed Enoki Ryuusai's body was definitely Touda. And the man you thought was your father was just someone who'd stolen your mother away.

He continues on to tell her that Touda only killed him because of the darkness Ryuusai introduced into him via Bakugon, anyway. Kazane jumps up and screams in rage, beginning a spell, but Soushi is too fast and slams her face against the rock wall.

Soushi: Foolish. What a foolish girl...

He says that it's time for her own seal to be broken, so that she can use the power of the Miko. A Sanskrit character appears glowing on her forehead, then shatters. Kazane's eyes widen. We see flashes of her childhood with her mother, happily playing amongst the giant insects.

Awww.

But the memories turn darker, and next she's fleeing from the demons of Yomi, with Kai trying to protect her. Her arm is seized by Soushi in his original body.

In the present, Soushi laughs at her realization of just who he is, saying she's too late. The Miko's power glows around her, and she begins to cry as the seal opens.

The flash of light is big enough that it can be seen from miles around, which luckily means Our Heroes now know that they are indeed going in the right direction. Judging by. You know. THE TENDRILS OF DARKNESS CREEPING OUT FROM CHIGAESHI.

Kouchin: Shouki from Yomi...! Has the first seal been broken?!
Centipede: [from out of fucking NOWHERE] MIKO!!!1!

Slightly stunned, the others recognize him as one of the protectors of Chigaeshi, realizing that he must have sensed something. Taiin warns that the shouki is approaching, and Kouchin says that they need to hurry if they want to make it in time. Masahiro agrees.

Meanwhile, Soushi's grooving with his villain thing and laughing maniacally as the shouki escapes from the seal, saying that there's only one seal left. He begins to chant, and a glowing ball of purple-y darkness appears. Touda steps out with a sigh and a "I am not impressed" face. He sarcastically thanks Soushi for such a cramped space to stay in. Soushi waves it off, saying that there's no helping it, since the powers of the Yomi no Shiki will increase with more contact to shouki.

Pissy Touda is pissy.

...basically, Soushi has been keeping Touda in a Yomi Pokéball. MOVING ON. They both turn towards the passage revealed by the seal.

Touda: ...a good wind. The wind that transports the tide of Yomi.
Soushi: At the same time as the sunset, that Shinshou's body will be sacrificed.*

*There's a bit of this line missing-- it should be "体を煮えり捧げ, but I have no freaking clue how to translate that, since "nieru" is to cook or boil, so when it becomes a compound verb with "to sacrifice," unless he's talking about vore, I think it's a colloquialism that I don't know. inarticulate, always the helpful one, provides that he could alternately be saying that Touda's body is like a well-boiled pea. I SOMEHOW DON'T THINK SO.

BASICALLY I think Soushi is warning the Yomi no Shiki that Touda's body will be transformed, like Takaonokami said, at sunset, so he needs to open the seal before then, since a god's form is needed to do so. BUT HE USES BIG WORDS so who knows.

Touda: I understand.

The two of them start walking into the passage, leaving Kazane's prone form on the floor.

Kazane: Mo...ther...

Oni from Yomi begin to appear.

Oni: It's the human world...
Kazane: The seal has been... the oni... I... failed... Me, the daugher of Chigaeshi...

The oni surround her and are about to attack, when Kai appears.

Kai: Princess! I won't let you touch her!
Kazane: Ka... i...
Kai: Princess... live, somehow..

Kai screams, and a burst of light carries Kazane away. He falls to the ground, and the oni descend upon him. Feathers and blood fly everywhere.

Kai: Princess...

Kazane finds herself on a nearby hill, and begins to cry for Kai. She gets up, though, and begins to limp through the woods.

Kazane: I... have to tell someone... because of me... I... at that time...

She trips and slides down the hill into a grassy field. Behind her, the oni approach. She gets to her feet, a determined look on her face, and continues forward--

--only to be stabbed through the chest by one of the monsters.

It flings her to the ground and the others begin to surround her. Before they can, though, a burst of wind destroys some of them. Masahiro and the Shinshou have arrived, and between the five of them, they make short work of the oni. Masahiro begins to run towards Kazane, but Kouchin stops him. Rikugou slowly lifts Kazane into a sitting position in his arms.

Taiin: Are you oka-- how horrible...
Kazane: Touda... the seal... is heading...
Kouchin: Leave this to Rikugou. Let's go, Masahiro.
Masahiro: Y-yeah... Rikugou, please.

The others leave Kazane and Rikugou alone.

Kazane: I... reached something I can't recover from...
Rikugou: Don't speak.
Kazane: I'm... sorry... until now... [she begins to cry]
Rikugou: Kazane, it's all right. Don't speak anymore.
Kazane: This is... retribution, isn't it... I was... so foolish...

Rikugou embraces her.

Kazane: I'm glad... I was able to be... in your hands... Rikugou...
Rikugou: Saiki.
Kazane: Sa... i...
Rikugou: Saiki. My real name, that no one else knows.
Kazane: Saiki...
Rikugou: Yes.
Kazane: I don't... want to be alone anymore... I'm glad... you're here...
Rikugou: I'm here.
Kazane: Sai...ki...

As she dies, the magatama falls from her neck.

Touda and Soushi are continuing to walk through the passage when Soushi suddenly stops, saying that it seems they've come, after all. Touda wants to go after them, but Soushi stops him, saying that he doesn't mind. Touda should go on ahead and leave them to Soushi.

Byakko, Seiryuu, and Seimei arrive at the entrance to the cave at the same time Masahiro and the others do.

Masahiro: Grandfather!
Seimei: Oh... it looks like somehow we've both arrived in time. Where's Rikugou?

All Taiin has to do is mention Kazane, and Seimei understands.

Taiin: Seimei... will Touda really not come home? I heard the High Priest of Chishiki's voice on the wind... at this rate, Touda... and Kazane... we won't be able to save either of them!

Seimei says that no matter what happens, no matter what Guren does or what he becomes, he will think of him as a friend. Forever. With that, they enter the cavern. Soushi waits inside with an army of oni.

Soushi: It's been a while, Abe no Seimei.
Seimei: Ryuusai...

[IC] thread continuation

2007-06-10T16:55:40Z

[from here]

Well, that's Grandfather!

[episode summary] 23: The Flame of Kagutsuchi is Magestic

2007-06-06T19:22:20Z

Three more episodes to go! This one has a lot of exposition, so bear with me.

Masahiro wakes up from a dream about Mokkun to find Akiko once more at his side. It's obvious she's trying to be cheerful as she tells him she'll bring him his breakfast. Masahiro tries to get up to follow her, but can't because of his wound. He collapses back onto the futon and whispers Mokkun's name.

Masahiro: How is the capital?
Akiko: Everything is normal. The Mikado and his court are healthy as well.
Masahiro: Ah. [sets down his rice, having barely touched it]
Akiko: Um, Masahiro...
Masahiro: [dully] Nn?
Akiko: ...sorry. I'll tell you later.
Masahiro: ...mm.

About as responsive as a potato.

Akiko leaves, wondering why Mokkun isn't with Masahiro.

That night, Masahiro manages to get dressed, though he winces as he pulls his clothes on. As Seimei uses the fortune-telling board, Touda's name comes up. Masahiro limps through the gate to the street, to a nearby bridge where Kurumanosuke is sleeping. Kurumanosuke jerks awake and speeds over to in front of Masahiro, where his curtains part and the zakki jump out. Masahiro says that he's glad that they're all okay, considering the problems the shouketsu caused in the city. The zakki explain that hey hid inside Kurumanosuke the whole time.

Zakki loev mago.

Pink Zakki: Do you want to go somewhere?
Masahiro: Yeah, to Kifune-- [winces]

The zakki, seeing that he's injured, say that they'll help. And with that, they grab him and carry him into Kurumanosuke's interior, and fondly send him off. On Kifune, Masahiro waits for Takaokaminokami to appear. When she does, it's in her dragon form.

Takaokaminokami: You have something to ask me... or so your face says. Is it about Touda?

She says that there are some things he's better off not knowing, but he insists that he wants to save Guren. Guren wouldn't do any of those things, so someone must have cast a spell...

Takaokaminokami: It's just as you say. Touda's soul has become entangled. He's been controlled.
Masahiro: Then, if I break that spell...
Takaokaminokami: It's too late. Before long, Touda's body will transform into something different. Just like the ayakashi who were transformed by the shouki from Yomi. At that time, Touda's soul will utterly disappear.
Masahiro: Guren will... disappear...

Kouchin watches Masahiro's look of horror from a nearby tree.

Takaokaminokami: The only reason it hasn't already happened is that the High Priest of Chishiki still needs his body. Because Touda is the key to one of Chigaeshi's seals.
Masahiro: A-a way to save Guren--
Takaokaminokami: Doesn't exist.

Masahiro stumbles backwards until his back hits a tree, and slumps against it.

TRAUMAFACE

Takaokaminokami: The Twelve Shinshou cannot harm humans. They cannot kill them. Why do you suppose they have these restrictions? Do you know?

Masahiro mutely shakes his head.

Takaokaminokami: It's because the Shinshou are the children of humans.
Masahiro: Eh?
Takaokaminokami: There are given shape by the wishes of humans. The wishes of those hearts decide their forms. Though the Shinshou are gods, they are also the children of humans. Therefore they cannot lay a hand on humans. Because they are the creations of humans' wishes, even as they die, there are resurrected. But it is only resurrection. The memories and form they've worn up until that point are lost.

Masahiro flashes back to all the times Guren has protected him.

Takaokaminokami: He will even forget being called "Guren" by you. He will never take the form of that white mononoke again. Touda will become a different Shinshou.
Masahiro: Then Guren is... already...

His voice shaking, Masahiro thinks back to Toshitsugu and Seimei warning him that he will soon lose something close to him.

Takaokaminokami: There are only two paths for you to choose from. Will you kill him before his shape is lost, and create a new Touda? Or will you wait for him to be consumed by the shouki? If you let Touda open Chigaeshi's gates, everything will be destroyed. What will you do, human child? Touda cannot come home. Will you defeat him with your own hands? Or will you wait? One or the other. If you're prepared, I will lend you power.

As she speaks, she changes into her human form.

Takaokaminokami: The power to kill gods.
Masahiro: To kill... gods...
Takaokaminokami: Gods can only be killed by gods. But with this power, even helpless little you can kill a god.
Masahiro: [slumping further] I... I swore to Mokkun... that no matter what, I'd be the best onmyouji... I swore... I asked him to lend me strength... so why... why, do I have to... to Mokkun...

He clutches his wound, his voice faltering.

Takaokaminokami: It's at my own expense. I'll tell you about one other choice. Leave everything to me. Close your ears and eyes and don't see or hear any of it. You won't have to know--it'll be out of your hands. You don't have to answer right away.

She says that he doesn't have to give her an answer until the new moon, which, looking at the moon that night, won't be for a few days. Masahiro agrees, and faints.

Kouchin comes and exchanges a few biting words about Seimei and Masahiro--specifically that it's their decision what to do about Touda, not the Shinshou's--with Takaokaminokami, then excuses herself to carry Masahiro home. Takaokaminokami looks amused, and says that's another way that the Shinshou are similar to herself.

...oh my god we're just at the commercial break? A-AAAAH.

In the morning, in what I'm assuming is a few days later, since Masahiro is moving without causing himself intense pain, he's preparing to go back to the Onmyou Dorms and work. Akiko is worried, but he says it's not good for him to be missing so much time.

At the dorms, Toshitsugu is walking by, and looks surprised to see Masahiro.

Toshitsugu: Masahiro-dono? Masahiro-dono!

He sits down next to Masahiro.

This is his concerned look. I mean it.

Toshitsugu: I'd heard you'd caught a cold, but... are you well again already?
Masahiro: Y-yeah... I'm fine...
Toshitsugu: But you're making such a severe face. You should go home for today. It's not good to overdo it.

Toshitsugu tells Masahiro to leave his work to him, and to just head home. Masahiro protests, but is totally topped into leaving. On his way out, he's stopped by Narichika, who's glad to see that Masahiro has recovered. He invites him over to his house for a while.

As usual, Masahiro is pounced upon by his nephews. Their mother tells them not to demand so much from someone who's still recovering, and they go >: Narichika wants to borrow Masahiro for a bit, though. As the two of them stand at the koi pond, he says that he can tell that Masahiro doesn't just look bad because of his health. And he knows that something is going to happen on the night of the new moon. That's the problem with older brothers who are also onmyouji. You can't get anything past them. He says that if Masahiro needs any advice, he'll listen.

Even with the hat, he's still shorter than his brother...

Masahiro finally says that there's something he has to decide by the new moon. But it's something he has to decide on his own. That evening, as he leaves, he waves goodbye, and one of his nephews comments that even though he he's smiling, it looks like he wants to cry.

As he walks, Masahiro calls out Rikugou and Taiin, who are following him.

Masahiro: ...how is Tenitsu?

It turns out she still hasn't woken, and Suzaku hasn't left her side. We get a glimpse of Suzaku sitting with Tenitsu cradled on his lap on a pavilion in the clouds.

It's like Where's Waldo, but with Shinshou.

Masahiro: But she's still alive.
Taiin: Of course she is! Tenitsu won't die! Suzaku wouldn't forgive that!
Masahiro: Even if she was reborn, her memories would disappear...
Taiin: Masahiro?

It's obvious from Taiin and Rikugou's expressions that they know what he's really thinking about.

Masahiro: Could you two go home ahead of me? I need to go talk to Kurumanosuke.

Taiin objects, but Rikugou agrees. Taiin demands that he at least come home soon. Masahiro rides Kurumanosuke back to Kifune.

Takaokaminokami: Is your heart set?
Masahiro: [firmly] Please, give me power. The power to kill gods...!
Takaokaminokami: All right. [a blue flame appears in her hand] This is the power to kill gods. The Flame of Kagutsuchi.
Masahiro: Kagutsuchi...
Takaokaminokami: I will give this to you.

...hott.

The flame grows and swirls, disappearing inside Masahiro's body.

Takaokaminokami informs him that while the flame is now lodged inside him, he'll need more than that. Basically, he'll need something from Suzaku, because Suzaku is a fire Shinshou just like Touda. She then gets up to leave.

Masahiro: Um...
Takaokaminokami: What is it?
Masahiro: There's... one thing I'd like to ask.

Takaokaminokami smiles.

When Masahiro arrives home, he's immediately cornered by Taiin, who bitches him out for being late. He says he needs to go talk to his grandfather, though, and escapes.

Masahiro: I was given the flame with the power to kill gods by Takaokaminokami. I will... fight Guren.
Seimei: ...is that so.
Masahiro: There's... one favor I need to ask of you.
Seimei: Hm?

We don't get to see what exactly that favor is, but...

Seimei: ...I understand.
Masahiro: Thank you.

He leaves the room, and Kouchin appears.

Kouchin: Seimei... that's definitely your grandson.

She says that she'll go talk to Suzaku. As she disappears, Seimei repeats her words.

As Masahiro walks through the empty halls of the Onmyou dorms, Toshitsugu calls out to him, saying that he heard the news that Masahiro is going to get to travel to Izumo--the official story is that he's traveling with Narichika on some job. Apparently Yukinari wanted him to pass his congratulations along as well. Masahiro surprises Toshitsugu by thanking him and bowing formally.

Masahiro stares at a black kariginu in a box in his room.

Tsuyuki: Here, onigiri. If they're like this, you'll be able to eat while you walk.
Masahiro: Thank you.
Tsuyuki: You've really grown.

Masahiro smiles and says that he's going. But a few steps away, he stops. He tells her that there's something he has to do, no matter what. He looks strangely sad.

He sees Akiko in the hall.

Akiko: Are you leaving?
Masahiro: Yeah.
Akiko: When?
Masahiro: Huh?
Akiko: When will you come home from Izumo? Before summer?
Masahiro: Before summer?
Akiko: Because... I want to see the fireflies with you.
Masahiro: If I can, I'll come home quickly.

He hands her one of the perfume bags, and then suddenly, much to her surprise, hugs her. He says he wants her to keep it for him.

"Masahiro, I thought I was supposed to be the surpraise rapist..."

When Masahiro goes to the courtyard to meet his grandfather and the Shinshou (Rikugou, Kouchin, Genbu, and Taiin), he's dressed entirely in black and red. Seimei gives him his prayer beads, saying that he'll follow soon. They disappear in one of Taiin's whirlwinds.

[episode summary] 22: Everything For the Sake of the Miko

2007-06-04T18:37:03Z

AKA the episode where Touda rapistfaces a lot.

As the mist from Yomi descends on the capital, Takaonokami watches from her mountain in disdain. She's visited by the giant spider and centipede from Seimei's flashback. They tell her that their power alone isn't going to be able to keep the door to Yomi closed for much longer. It's been a long time since the Miko disappeared, they say, and they want her help. Especially re: the High Priest of Chishiki.

BACK IN THE LAND OF ANGST, Touda's doing his best to fry our heroes. He's literally tearing the place apart as Seimei tries to keep everyone shielded. The Shinshou have their hands full just deflecting the flames, and they're fighting a losing battle.

Suzaku: Now that the golden seal has been removed, is this Touda's true power?

Touda makes some truly amazing rapistfaces as he taunts them, talking about how strong he is and how easy it'll be to do them in.

The scores are: 10, 10, 11, 10, and... 7 from the French Judge.

Soushi joins in on the villainy-speeches, and calls for Kazane to come to him. She sets down the unconscious Nagako and starts to do so.

Rikugou: Don't listen to him! He's just using you!
Soushi: Come, Kazane!

Kazane looks conflicted.

Nagako: Kazane...

It seems Nagako has awakened, and is now clinging to Kazane's leg.

Nagako: Let's go back to Mother together, already...

Kazane reaches down and Nagako faints once more. She then turns to Rikugou, her voice quiet.

Kazane: ...please take care of her.
Rikugou: Kazane!
Kazane: It's... it's too late.
Soushi: Good! That's good, Kazane.

Soushi reminds her that it's Seimei's fault that her father and mother are gone, and Rikugou snaps. He yells at Soushi to shut the hell up and throws his spear at him.

Oh bitch you didn't.

The crow's second head is sliced off and disappears. Kazane kneels by the crow's fallen body and starts to sob. A golden glow appears around her. Seimei seems to recognize the aura.

Back with Takaonokami and the bugs, the spider says that he can suddenly feel the Miko's aura once more, inside the shouketsu.

When the glow fades, Kazane is unconscious. Rikugou starts towards her, but is unable to move more than a few steps due to Touda's flames. Who is now cackling evilly and saying that it's time to finish things. O snap. He's amused by Seimei's attempts to keep the barriers up, but is about to heat things up even more, when--

--the plot device spider arrives to wrap him up in spiderweb and slam him against a cliff.

What.

ANYWAY. The Shinshou are stunned, and recognize the spider as one of Chigaeshi's protectors. He turns to Kazane and calls her the Miko, apologizing for being late. But when he gets a good look at her face, he stops, surprised, and realizes that she's not the Miko at all. He calls her "hime" instead.

Seimei: The Miko's daughter?! That's right, the aura I felt earlier was the same as the Miko's.
Rikugou: Kazane!
Spider: Hime... Hime...

He's knocked away by a jet of flame. Touda's out of the spiderweb, and boy is he pissed.

Touda: This is mine.

The spider sacrifices himself for the sake of the Miko, causing the shouketsu to being to disappear. With everyone still inside it. But, well, it turns out we're long overdue for divine intervention, and Seimei, Masahiro (still unconscious!), and the Shinshou disappear as Takaonokami teleports them out. Touda is not amused.

The mist begins to disappear from the city, and our heroes appear on Kifune. Seimei thanks Takaonokami, but she says not to--she just did that because she wanted to talk to him. Seimei is surprised, but tells Taiin to use her wind to take everyone else back, while he stays to talk with the goddess. The centipede confirms for Seimei that the High Priest of Chishiki is indeed trying to open up the gate to Yomi, and Takaonokami wants to know WTF happened inside the shouketsu, as it is relevant to her interests.

Wooo commercial break. I swear to god, these episodes get longer and longer.

Takaonokami, much like a cat, always lets you know when she's Not Happy.

When she hears what happened, Takaonokami goes :/ and says that means that Soushi (AS I'M GOING TO CALL HIM NOW IN SUMMARY BUT NOT DIALOGUE since it's a shorter name and it gets confusing to call him two different things) has two keys: Kazane and Touda. Seimei is confused-- how are they the keys, if the door is protected by the Miko's power?

Takaonokami explains that while that's true, there's more to it than that. The first of the doors is the large stone gate that Ryuusai and Seimei came to lend their power to protecting, that the Miko is in charge of. It can't be opened except with the power of the Miko. In other words, even though the Miko isn't there, Kazane, who has her power, can be used to open it.

Further inside, she continues, there is a second door. Since it's protected by the god of Chigaeshi, a god's power is needed to open it. Seimei realizes that's what Soushi was talking about when he said that he could use Touda's body.

Seimei: He... intends to use Guren as a key?
Takaonokami: Touda and Kazane... both keys have fallen into his hands.

She asks what Seimei would think about going to protect the seal again. After a moment, he nods, and says that this time, he'll defeat Soushi for sure.

In the city, Yukinari gets a report that the Emperor and his family are recovering. He tells his men not to let down their guard, however, and to keep patrolling just in case.

Nagako wakes up back at the palace.

Mother: Himemiya... Himemiya... are you all right?

She throws herself into her mother's arms, sobbing. Her mother asks if she had a bad dream. Nagako says that she was lonely, and her mother says that everyone has times like that, and it'll be okay. She then pauses and wonders where the attendant who was always with Nagako went.

Well, she's lying unconscious on the floor of a cave, with Soushi looming over her. Good times! Kazane's crow, a scar on its shoulder where the second head used to be, watches from the shadows.

Back at home, Masahiro wakes up to find Akiko sitting next to him, concerned.

Akiko: Masahiro? Have you come to?
Masahiro: Akiko... you got better.
Akiko: Yes. But besides that...
Masahiro: ...I had another dream. Mokkun was running in darkness. Even though I called to him... even though I called as hard as I could...
Akiko: ...Masahiro...
Masahiro: Akiko-- [tries to get up, and grimaces in pain]
Akiko: Are you all right? You shouldn't be moving yet.

Masahiro suddenly remembers Touda stabbing him.

Masahiro: It... wasn't a dream...
Akiko: Eh...? ...ah. [she straightens up, and begins to cry]
Masahiro: Akiko?
Akiko: It's... okay. No matter what happened, it's... okay if you don't force yourself to talk about it.
Masahiro: Akiko, don't cry. It's okay.
Akiko: ...mmm. [she wipes her eyes with her sleeves] Oh no, I...
Masahiro: It'll be okay soon. So don't worry, okay?
Akiko: Yeah. I'm sorry. But.. I'm glad you're all right. Really... glad.

You're a heartless fiend if you don't think Akiko is adorable, by the way.

Masahiro smiles at her, but the smile quickly fades as he rolls over.

Seimei is looking at maps of the Izumo area, when Kouchin appears. He asks her how Suzaku and Tenitsu are doing. Kouchin says that Tenitsu is the same as before. If she gets any worse, she'll die, since even the Shinshou aren't immortal.

Genbu, Taiin, and Rikugou catch her eye from where they're sitting on the porch. She asks them what's up, since they're looking so gloomy. Genbu says that it seems like Touda has become an enemy. She says she knows that, since Seiryuu's doing his whole "I'll kill him this time" spiel (and does a pretty great impression of him).

Taiin: Kill him...?
Seimei: Seiryuu's still saying that?
Kouchin: Yeah. Honestly.

Kouchin proves that she can be fucking scary sometimes, by saying that she's not going to stand for Touda just being snatched away by someone like that, and announces her intentions to get revenge for it. Seimei tells her to calm down and wait for Masahiro to get better. Seimei says that Soushi, Kazane, and Guren are all in Izumo. Rikugou grits his teeth.

In the cave, Kazane's crow gently pecks at her in an attempt to wake her up. Deeper within the series of caverns, Soushi stands in front of a tremendous pillar of ice. Within, upon a slab of rock and doing her best imitation of Snow White, is Chigaeshi no Miko. He gloats to her still form, saying that the gates of Yomi will soon open, and there's no one left to stop him.

A face only a mother could love.

Taiin: It's good that his life was saved, but... what happened to Masahiro? Touda isn't here, but ever since he woke up he's been lying there. Isn't he worried?

Genbu says it's because he can't move, and Taiin yells that in tough times, you should just suck it up and do your best. She says it's tough for her to see Masahiro like that. Doesn't he understand that? Kouchin appears near Masahiro's room. He hasn't cried, she says.

Masahiro just lies there, eyes blank and staring off into the distance.